A 34-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 28 years for his role in the shooting death of .
The sentencing capped an emotional trial in which a of aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping and tampering with evidence, all felonies.
He was found not guilty of a second count of aggravated murder, having weapons while under disability and multiple firearm specifications. A third aggravated murder and aggravated robbery were dismissed.
First sentencing:
Represented by attorneys David Lowry and Walter Madison, Easter will appeal.
“It’s abundantly clear that there are no winners, only losers,” Lowry said during sentencing.
For Howard’s family member Ebony Tanksley, his death is one more in a line of shooting deaths and stabbings that have rocked their family for decades.
“My family are some real fighters,” she said, looking at Howard’s mother during the sentencing. “He has beautiful daughters who will carry on his legacy.”
Easter is the second and final person sentenced in the case. pleaded guilty to reduced charges including voluntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to 13 to 18 years in prison.
Luther Easter Jr. is escorted into Summit County Common Pleas Court to be sentenced Tuesday by Judge Tammy O’Brien for the 2022 murder and kidnapping of Dartanian Howard.
What led to Dartanian Howard’s death?
Before Easter was sentenced, his family members and friends spoke on his behalf and alluded to alleged abuse involving Howard and Easter’s son.
Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Daniel Sallerson said the incident was under investigation and the child’s mother pleaded guilty in the case. Howard was also under investigation until his death.
Jury verdict:
But Easter’s family, as well as friends like Cameron Johnson, said their experiences with the justice system helped them understand why he took matters into his own hands.
“Where we come from, we can’t rely on you all to protect us,” Johnson said before sentencing. “How do you sleep at night knowing your son’s mother has someone in the house beating on your son.”
Johnson and others urged the court to consider the circumstances.
“Sometimes we feel like out of anger and spite and irrational thinking that for the moment this is what we have to do,” he said. “Don’t punish this man for being a father.”
Judge O’Brien addresses each family
O’Brien acknowledged this case was complicated and emotional for everyone involved, referring to multiple outbursts from both families and verbal arguments that peppered the case.
But she said her court’s duty was to hold Easter accountable for his actions, not to address the alleged abuse of Easter’s son.
“Nothing would justify that abuse,” she said. “This court and this society cannot advocate for vigilante justice.”
Easter speaks at his sentencing
Easter stood and spoke before his sentencing, speaking to Howard’s family and prosecuting attorneys.
“I’m sorry for all your loss,” Easter said, looking at Howard’s family. “Both [families] lost a child; technically that’s a bonding moment.”
He accused prosecutors of painting him as the villain and conducting a “botched” trial.
“I’m sorry for everybody in this situation,” Easter said.
Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.